Are you familiar with Samuel Zwemer? If you hang with people who hang with Muslims, you’ve probably heard the name. He’s a hero in a number of ways; there’s even a study center named after him. I don’t know him as well as I should. He did die in 1952, but, no excuses, there are books!
Even a cursory look at Zwemer’s life offers lessons and modeling for people like us who want to see Muslims live in the love of Jesus for them.
- He pushed beyond what was considered doable in his day. “Muslims?! Surely you jest!” I’m scheming and dreaming these days with some friends about the day when there will be no more unengaged peoples, Muslim or otherwise. It can feel paralyzingly undoable. (Click here to see what uupg’s may live in your favorite country.)
- He found a good wife! Since he poached Amy from another agency, he was required to reimburse them for the travel expenses they’d incurred to get her to the Middle East! Turned out to be a good investment: She founded both a school and a hospital that are each still in operation.
- He sacrificed in large and small ways. He and Amy buried two of their five children in Bahrain. He criss-crossed the globe in a day before they put wheels on suitcases. He famously only saw five Muslims turn to Jesus at his invitation.
- He wrote like crazy. As Muslim Connect nears its five year anniversary, I’m awed by the number of books Zwemer wrote: Fifty books in fifty years!
- He mobilized workers, pray-ers and senders. This is near my heart: He used his experience and influence to inspire and encourage many to consider lives of similar sacrifice and investment.
Want to flex some mobilization muscles? Consider inviting your church to connect to Healing Nations. We’ll help you build a relationship with a vetted missions partner to initiate a multi-year collaboration to bring good news where it’s desperately needed.
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